Asphalt, as a paving material, offers countless benefits. It’s cost-effective, beautiful, easy to maintain and durable enough to last decades with proper care. However, dealing with cracks is one of the most frustrating things about asphalt paving. Cracking can ruin your pavement’s aesthetics and make it more susceptible to severe damage. Fortunately, asphalt crackfilling is an easy way to address the problem and restore all the great benefits your pavement provides. Here’s what you need to know about asphalt crackfilling.
1. What Types of Damage Require Crack Repair?
To the untrained eye, all cracks look the same. However, asphalt crack repair contractors know to look deeper to understand the type of damage you’re dealing with. Many types of cracks could affect your pavement, changing how experts approach asphalt crack repair.
- Edge Cracking: Edge cracks appear within two feet of the perimeter of your pavement, indicating a lack of structural support below.
- Alligator Cracking: Sometimes called “fatigue cracking,” this damage occurs when the asphalt’s surface fails due to repeated heavy loads. The damage requires more extensive repair beyond standard asphalt crack sealing and filling.
- Block Cracks: When block cracks develop, they create a network of large rectangular shapes on the surface. They’re often a byproduct of shrinkage and temperature changes.
- Reflective Cracking: Reflective cracking affects paved surfaces with an overlay. If the original foundation below moves, cracks will develop on the overlay to mirror the base structure. Washington asphalt crackfilling offers a temporary fix, but surfaces typically need more extensive asphalt crack repair work.
- Slippage Cracks: Slippage cracks occur when there are issues with construction and low-quality asphalt mix. Hot rubber crack repair compounds may mask the problem, but addressing the underlying cause requires full reconstruction.
2. How Do Asphalt Crackfilling Contractors Categorize Damage?
Beyond the many types of cracks that affect asphalt pavement, contractors look at the nature of the damage. Cracks occur for various reasons but often fall into one of two categories.
The first is a working crack. Working cracks require movement to accommodate traffic, temperature-related expansion/contraction, etc. Therefore, more rigid crack filling compounds aren’t ideal. Instead, contractors must use flexible hot rubber crack repair materials. Asphalt crack sealing with hot rubber facilitates the necessary movement and prevents water penetration.
Non-working cracks don’t require movement. Thus, they have a low risk of spreading. These voids can benefit from crack filling compounds followed by asphalt crack sealing with hot rubber.
3. How Does Asphalt Hot Rubber Crack Repair Work?
All crack repair projects are unique, but each begins with a careful examination and site prep. Assessing the damage allows contractors to determine what repair methods can provide ideal results. Furthermore, it helps guide the preparation stage.
Depending on the nature of the damage, contractors may route the crack. Doing so creates more surface area for the hot rubber crack repair material to bond with the pavement, improving resilience and longevity.
After applying a crack filler and using a hot rubber sealer, teams allow the repair to cure before opening the area up to traffic. Additional services, such as sealcoating, may help to further protect the pavement from damage after crack filling and repair.
4. Can Delaying Asphalt Crackfilling Service Lead to Bigger Problems?
Washington asphalt crackfilling is a vital maintenance service that can mitigate bigger problems like premature deterioration, potholes and more. Every crack on your pavement is a potential intrusion point for water. If water flows into cracks, it can penetrate the foundation, eroding soil and wreaking havoc on the sub-base. The longer you neglect crack repair, the worse the foundational damage can become. Before you know it, the structure will fail.
The goal of asphalt crackfilling is to protect the structural integrity of your pavement by preventing water penetration. This service helps seal voids, prevent spread and restore the reliability of your paved surfaces.
5. How Often Do I Need Washington Asphalt Crackfilling Service?
Major damage and working cracks with a high risk of spreading require asphalt crack repair as soon as possible. However, contractors can address standard cracks at least once annually. The best thing you can do is bring contractors in for regular inspections. Contractors can assess the damage and guide you in the right direction, ensuring you provide the care your pavement needs.
Quality Striping & Sealing is eager to meet all your asphalt crack repair needs. We’re pavement maintenance specialists with over 20 years of experience serving northern Virginia, West Virginia and Maryland. At Quality Striping & Sealing, your satisfaction is our top priority. Our team works hard to provide stellar results and customer service you can count on. We aim to be your long-term pavement maintenance partners, doing everything possible to exceed your expectations. In addition to crack filling, we’re available for sealcoating, repairs, parking lot maintenance, striping, stencils, wheel stops, snow removal and more.
Let’s discuss your needs in greater detail. Call Quality Striping & Sealing at (833)966-SEAL (7325), email info@
